Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-06-12

AnE LNENSE oE "a"
What were we before the ejaculation
ofthe Newspaper? For head and heart
must have felt a need that books could
not all. Through its columns we feel
that we are inhaling . new atmos-
phere, bracipg ,invigorating that stimu.
lates the pulses to new aims and hopes
and lie Issues are potent for q greater
or less amount Of good or evil. IL is
. mighty agent Of reform that must
fructify, or wither,. exalt or degrade
society. The secret Of Its subtle infiu.
ence lies in its continual presence and
ceaseless appeals to the Preside where
Il 10 . welcome guest that Is eagerly
greeted. and Its teachings devoured to
the exclusion Of all other reading.
however e~lsvating and instructive. Its
matter is 80 varied that there 10 some
thing suited to every taste, mood, in.
teresl and ~avocation. 1t Is one Of the
nos important factors Of civilized life
and II Is only q narrow prejudice that
DEGREES its value. 1t constitutes al
most the sole species of instruction
that many families posses, and dull
and iasipid indeed would be some
homes without Its cheering presence.
1t gives US a knowledge Of the outside
world which we cannot CLEAN from
books, for IL keeps pace with every in
novation, every little business f1uctua-
ton, every social, religious. commerce.
al and political enterprise, at home or
abroad, in time of war or Of peace; and
II is now recognized a. one of the
greatest demands of modern social life.
Since II has gained an undisputed
foothold upon public confidence 1t ar.
rogates to itself o universal range as,
prophet, teacher, critic and legislator.
and 10 not content with all this dis
t~inction, but boldly draws aside the
curtain Of daily domestic life and ex-
poses to vulgar gaze the closeted. grim
ming skeleton behind the downy cush.
lon and gilded hsberdashery Of ease
and luxury. What the editor IL and
what q critical public would have. him
be, are az diverse % ~ can conceive,
and 1t would be Q difficult undertaking
to furnish the true ideal. 1t should
not be expected that his work should
bear the stamp Of an exceptional ex-
cellence and finish, for to indite hour.
ly and c~reditably demands more IN
RENTING thought, attention, and
leisure than Ia possible 10 bestow upon
varied matter presented for the public
approval or condemnation. The edi-
tors responsibility Is a grave one. and
the daily and momentous pressure Of
bis surroundings renders his position
any other than an enviable one. He
must think hastily, yet soundly; he
must write rapidly, yet ~faultlessly;
and any immaturity Of thought or ex-
preston is an unforgiven trespass up
on an %invidious public. Another
evil growing out Of editorial work IL
this, that an eager and exacting public
wants the new whatever II may be,
moral or lIcentious, In all Its details.
In this dedartment are heralded the
inirmities, the atrocities, the enormi-
ties. the shocking developments that
constitute the sensational element;and
though this Is q demand of its masses,
1t is objected to by the more refined
classes rs catering TO an unblushing
effrontery Of an abhorrent need that
should not be met at the public ex-
pense. It's effect upon the popular
mind and morals cannot be too bitter
ly deplored or deprecated. This evil,
we are glad to say, IL not q general
one. for there's are honorable exceptions
that should be emphasized by q worthy
exemption from all such startling and
revoltant details. This is q glaring
fault with many Of our city dailies,
and the worthy editor applies the bal.
nam to his chafed conscience that those
frightful deeds should be unveiled be-
fore the world 10 show that summary
retributive justice 10 sure TO be melted
out TO the perpetrators. II Is a danger
Gus precedent TO familisrize the minds
OF the masses with such scenes and
bid them inhale the deadly efiuvia
that generates In those noxious cess
pools Of moral r%ottenness and degree
dation. a. In time they cease TO regard
them with horror, and their own lit.
tie immoralities are 40 dwarfed by the
comparison % to lose their present
bideousness. When q commits an
offence against law or morality, LET
him stand alone In bis own vision ~
the one single, solitary, revoltant
monster which the world In all after
time refuses 10 duplicate. This evil,
however, docs not grow out. Of the use